Tracking the Playoffs-Apr 5

A look at the playoff picture shows that it is very possible that the Grizzlies will not make the playoffs. I think they will, but the road ahead is not easy.

The Grizzlies will play 4 playoff teams, including Phoenix, over the last 6 games, 2 home, 2 away. Dallas plays 3 playoff teams in 5 games, 1h-1 away, while Phoenix, like Memphis, plays 4 playoff teams, 3 h-1 away. Each of these 3 teams plays the other 2 teams one more time. Boy, how crucial are those games? Remember that the Grizzlies have won the season series against Phoenix and lost the season series against Dallas, if it comes down to tied records.

The other 6 seeds in the West are not assured either, but I think that the Spurs will be number 1 with a 3 game lead and only 6 games left. Portland could fall to 6th and

To emphasize the difference between the competition level in the East and West, the Eastern Conference has 6 teams that have guaranteed a playoff spot, while in the Western Conference only 4 teams have. Also, the 7th and 8th teams in the East don’t have winning records while in the West, the top 10 teams have winning records. Either Atlanta, New York or maybe Cleveland will make the playoffs without winning records. Either Dallas, Memphis or Phoenix will probably end the season with records better than the 3rd place team in the East, but one of them will not make the playoffs.

Will the NBA change the playoffs to allow the top 10 teams, after the 6 division winners, make the playoffs?

Below is a table that shows the remaining schedule for the 1st to 9th position in the West. Enjoy. Below the table is the way tie-breakers are determined, according to ESPN.